The Chuck ToddCast

In this episode, Chuck Todd reacts to the Seahawks winning the Super Bowl, then examines the political shockwaves rippling through Washington after Donald Trump’s controversial and widely condemned post about the Obamas, placing it within the broader context of Trump’s long history of racial controversies and growing unease inside his own coalition. As criticism emerges from Republican lawmakers, conservative legal voices, and even Olympic athletes, Todd explores signs that Trump’s influence may be weakening—fueled by internal party fractures, controversial foreign policy moves, and a leadership circle increasingly insulating him from reality. With a surge of congressional retirements, warning signs from special elections, and historical trends favoring the opposition party, the conversation turns to whether Republicans are heading toward a major electoral setback—and whether worsening controversies, including ongoing fallout from Epstein-related revelations, could further reshape the political landscape before November.
Then, former White House Chief of Staff & Mayor of Chicago, Rahm Emanuel joins the Chuck ToddCast for a wide-ranging conversation on the forces shaping America’s political and economic future. He discusses why the 2028 election will be about what’s ahead—not what’s behind—and argues that understanding AI, energy, and the changing nature of work is now essential for anyone seeking leadership. Emanuel makes the case that education and vocational training remain the clearest pathway to the middle class, warns about declining reading proficiency, and examines what schools must do to prepare students for a rapidly evolving world. He also explores how both parties lost their way on education, why fundamentals matter, and what voters are really demanding from the system.
The discussion then turns sharply to politics, power, and the health of American institutions. Emanuel weighs in on Trump-era controversies, Congress’s weakened role, and concerns about election integrity and the post-election environment. He outlines how Democrats can rebuild a winning coalition by welcoming independents and former Republicans, focusing on economic fairness, and preparing for a potential 2026 wave election. The episode closes with a global lens—covering U.S.–Israel dynamics, political polarization, wealth inequality, and whether national service could help reunite a fractured country—framing a central question: if the midterms fail to reset the trajectory, what comes next for American democracy?
Finally, Chuck comments on the fallout from the mass layoffs at the Washington Post, hops in the ToddCast Time Machine to revisit the history of the Iranian revolution and answers listeners’ questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment.
Get your wardrobe sorted and your gift list handled with Quince. Don't wait! Go to https://Quince.com/CHUCK for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too!
Protect your family with life insurance from Ethos. Get up to $3 million in coverage in as little as 10 minutes at https://ethos.com/chuck. Application times may vary. Rates may vary.
Thank you Wildgrain for sponsoring. Visit http://wildgrain.com/TODDCAST and use the code "TODDCAST" at checkout to receive $30 off your first box PLUS free Croissants for life!
Link in bio or go to https://getsoul.com & enter code TODDCAST for 30% off your first order.
Timeline:
(Timestamps may vary based on advertisements)
00:00 Chuck Todd’s introduction
00:30 Super Bowl reaction
03:15 Bad Bunny’s halftime show was a great tour of Latin culture
04:30 The AI de-aging in the commercials is creepy
06:00 Half of the AI companies advertising likely won’t exist in 3 years
10:00 Fallout from Trump’s racist post about the Obamas
11:00 Trump’s entire history has included accusations of racism
11:45 Trump definitely made the post, Republicans push back on it
13:30 The cracks in the Trump coalition grow deeper by the week
14:30 Trump didn’t have much filter before, losing it as he ages
15:30 Olympic athletes voiced concerns & opposition to administration
16:30 Trump’s inner circle keep him in a “safe space” cocoon
17:30 In six weeks of 2026, Trump has put the GOP on the defensive
19:15 Close Trump allies in congress willing to criticize him
21:00 Conservative legal analysts rip Trump for corrupt UAE deal
23:15 Trump’s Greenland posturing turned allies against the U.S.
24:00 An electoral disaster is brewing for the Republicans
24:30 Nearing a record number of incumbents retiring from congress
27:00 Historical trends suggest massive gains for the out party
28:30 Retiring members sound like they are done with politics
29:45 Retirements will create an institutional knowledge gap
31:15 Retirements are a warning sign for disastrous upcoming election
35:00 Redistricting could create even more retirements
36:15 Two more special elections swung massively toward Democrats
37:15 Any Republican in a 59% or less Trump district is in danger
39:30 Almost no scenario where Republicans hold the house
40:45 Inconceivable that Trump recovers his approval rating by Nov.
42:30 The Epstein file releases keep getting worse and worse for Trump
56:15 Rahm Emmanuel joins the Chuck ToddCast
57:45 What does the average week look like for Rahm Emmanuel?
58:45 Trying to get a good understanding of AI & energy distribution
59:45 Candidates better understand AI because it’s driving economy
1:00:15 2028 election will be about the future not the past
1:01:45 Education and vocational training are the ticket to middle class
1:03:15 Coding used to be the most sought after skill, now it’s irrelevant
1:04:15 How to prepare students for a rapidly changing world?
1:05:45 AI won’t eliminate vocational professionals
1:07:30 Students are at a 30 year low in reading proficiency
1:08:15 Education is a highly motivating issue for voters
1:08:45 Vouchers don’t help rural communities
1:09:45 GOP has abandoned public ed, Dems abandoned accountability
1:11:00 Governors used to compete to be the “education governor”
1:11:45 Lotteries became the popular way to fund public education
1:12:30 Mississippi found a successful education model & it was copied
1:15:00 If schools focus on the fundamentals, scores go up
1:16:30 Trump’s UAE corruption scandal the worst in history
1:18:00 Trump is supposed to work for the voters checkbook, not his own
1:18:45 Trump’s pardons are almost exclusively for white collar crime
1:20:30 Congress has completely abdicated their responsibility
1:22:00 Founders were very worried about a corrupt executive
1:23:30 Major international shakeups and DNI is at Georgia election office
1:25:00 There are certain features of elections Trump can’t screw with
1:26:45 Rahm is more worried about the post election environment
1:27:30 The institutions have failed, but the people will protect this country
1:28:15 Worried that Mike Johnson may screw with the seating of new congress
1:29:15 Mike Johnson doesn’t have Mike Pence’s courage
1:31:45 What issues should Democrats should prioritize to win elections
1:32:45 2026 will be a wave election, presents chance to win local/state races
1:34:15 Tax refunds won’t be the electoral boon Republicans think they will
1:35:00 There’s no upside to being a long-term planner in American politics
1:36:15 What states should Dems target outside the 7 battlegrounds?
1:37:00 Never Trump Republicans finding more affinity with Democratic party
1:38:00 Democrats need to welcome former Republicans & independents
1:39:15 Unaffiliated voters are where you get your electoral majority
1:40:45 Progressive vs. Moderate viability for Democrats
1:43:15 Democratic electorate is always looking for someone new
1:44:15 The future will be on the ballot in 2028
1:46:30 Biden promised to unite the country & only united his party. It’s why he failed
1:48:00 Mandatory national service could help reunite the country
1:51:15 Entire tax code is built around wealth preservation, not creating wealth
1:53:15 People are tired by the ultra rich playing by their own set of rules
1:54:15 WaPo is an institution, and Bezos is gutting it against public interest
1:56:45 How welcome will a Jewish candidate be in a Democratic primary?
1:58:15 Separating the Jewish people/religion from Bibi’s government
2:00:00 Bibi’s governance has made Israel more vulnerable and isolated
2:01:00 Did we export our politics to Israel or are we emulating them?
2:02:00 If Democrats fail to win the midterms… then what?
2:04:00 Send us your guest requests & suggestions!
2:05:45 Will Lewis resigns, cements himself as worst publisher of WaPo
2:06:45 The Washington Post will fade into irrelevance after layoffs
2:08:00 Lack of local coverage bad for DC sports teams & venues
2:09:30 Team owners in DC should help fund local coverage
2:11:30 WaPo owner & publisher weren’t willing to own the layoffs
2:12:00 ToddCast Time Machine - February 11th 1979
2:12:15 Iranian shah’s regime collapsed, created Islamic Republic
2:13:15 Iran/Persia is one of the longest continuing states in history
2:14:45 Persia was neutral in WW1 & had its sovereignty violated
2:15:30 Collapse of Ottoman empire led to new states created by European powers
2:16:30 There’s a long history of small D democracy in Iran
2:17:30 The Shah’s project was forced modernization
2:18:45 The coup turned the Shah into the central pillar of the state
2:19:45 U.S. violating Iran’s sovereignty created anti-Americanism
2:21:00 Ayatollah Khamenei emerged as symbol of the resistance
2:21:45 Shah decided to expel Khamenei, gave him more rhetorical power
2:23:00 The Iranian revolution was broad based, but the clerical faction won
2:23:45 Hostage crisis came 9 months after the revolution
2:24:15 If we intervene now, it would be on the side of the Iranian people
2:25:30 Intervening on behalf of democracy works better than self-interest
2:26:15 Transactional politics without a moral code bites us in the ass
2:27:30 Ask Chuck
2:27:45 If Trump proved he was 2020 winner, does that make 2024 win unconstitutional?
2:31:30 Is it better for ethical people to stay in government to prevent someone worse?
2:35:30 Why not include Mississippi as state for Dems to target by 2032?
2:38:45 Causes for both alarm & optimism
2:42:00 Should MLB change the rule for intentional walks to make it two bases?
2:44:15 Some nicknames for the Trump/UAE corruption scandal
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, Chuck Todd reacts to the Seahawks winning the Super Bowl, then examines the political shockwaves rippling through Washington after Donald Trump’s controversial and widely condemned post about the Obamas, placing it within the broader context of Trump’s long history of racial controversies and growing unease inside his own coalition. As criticism emerges from Republican lawmakers, conservative legal voices, and even Olympic athletes, Todd explores signs that Trump’s influence may be weakening—fueled by internal party fractures, controversial foreign policy moves, and a leadership circle increasingly insulating him from reality. With a surge of congressional retirements, warning signs from special elections, and historical trends favoring the opposition party, the conversation turns to whether Republicans are heading toward a major electoral setback—and whether worsening controversies, including ongoing fallout from Epstein-related revelations, could further reshape the political landscape before November.
Finally, Chuck comments on the fallout from the mass layoffs at the Washington Post, hops in the ToddCast Time Machine to revisit the history of the Iranian revolution as tensions mount between the U.S. & Iran, and answers listeners’ questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment.
Get your wardrobe sorted and your gift list handled with Quince. Don't wait! Go to https://Quince.com/CHUCK for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too!
Protect your family with life insurance from Ethos. Get up to $3 million in coverage in as little as 10 minutes at https://ethos.com/chuck. Application times may vary. Rates may vary.
Thank you Wildgrain for sponsoring. Visit http://wildgrain.com/TODDCAST and use the code "TODDCAST" at checkout to receive $30 off your first box PLUS free Croissants for life!
Link in bio or go to https://getsoul.com & enter code TODDCAST for 30% off your first order.
Timeline:
(Timestamps may vary based on advertisements)
00:00 Chuck Todd’s introduction
00:30 Super Bowl reaction
03:15 Bad Bunny’s halftime show was a great tour of Latin culture
04:30 The AI de-aging in the commercials is creepy
06:00 Half of the AI companies advertising likely won’t exist in 3 years
10:00 Fallout from Trump’s racist post about the Obamas
11:00 Trump’s entire history has included accusations of racism
11:45 Trump definitely made the post, Republicans push back on it
13:30 The cracks in the Trump coalition grow deeper by the week
14:30 Trump didn’t have much filter before, losing it as he ages
15:30 Olympic athletes voiced concerns & opposition to administration
16:30 Trump’s inner circle keep him in a “safe space” cocoon
17:30 In six weeks of 2026, Trump has put the GOP on the defensive
19:15 Close Trump allies in congress willing to criticize him
21:00 Conservative legal analysts rip Trump for corrupt UAE deal
23:15 Trump’s Greenland posturing turned allies against the U.S.
24:00 An electoral disaster is brewing for the Republicans
24:30 Nearing a record number of incumbents retiring from congress
27:00 Historical trends suggest massive gains for the out party
28:30 Retiring members sound like they are done with politics
29:45 Retirements will create an institutional knowledge gap
31:15 Retirements are a warning sign for disastrous upcoming election
35:00 Redistricting could create even more retirements
36:15 Two more special elections swung massively toward Democrats
37:15 Any Republican in a 59% or less Trump district is in danger
39:30 Almost no scenario where Republicans hold the house
40:45 Inconceivable that Trump recovers his approval rating by Nov.
42:30 The Epstein file releases keep getting worse and worse for Trump
51:00 Send us your guest requests & suggestions!
52:45 Will Lewis resigns, cements himself as worst publisher of WaPo
53:45 The Washington Post will fade into irrelevance after layoffs
55:00 Lack of local coverage bad for DC sports teams & venues
56:30 Team owners in DC should help fund local coverage
58:30 WaPo owner & publisher weren’t willing to own the layoffs
59:00 ToddCast Time Machine - February 11th 1979
59:15 Iranian shah’s regime collapsed, created Islamic Republic
1:00:15 Iran/Persia is one of the longest continuing states in history
1:01:45 Persia was neutral in WW1 & had its sovereignty violated
1:02:30 Collapse of Ottoman empire led to new states created by European powers
1:03:30 There’s a long history of small D democracy in Iran
1:04:30 The Shah’s project was forced modernization
1:05:45 The coup turned the Shah into the central pillar of the state
1:06:45 U.S. violating Iran’s sovereignty created anti-Americanism
1:08:00 Ayatollah Khamenei emerged as symbol of the resistance
1:08:45 Shah decided to expel Khamenei, gave him more rhetorical power
1:10:00 The Iranian revolution was broad based, but the clerical faction won
1:10:45 Hostage crisis came 9 months after the revolution
1:11:15 If we intervene now, it would be on the side of the Iranian people
1:12:30 Intervening on behalf of democracy works better than self-interest
1:13:15 Transactional politics without a moral code bites us in the ass
1:14:30 Ask Chuck
1:14:45 If Trump proved he was 2020 winner, does that make 2024 win unconstitutional?
1:18:30 Is it better for ethical people to stay in government to prevent someone worse?
1:22:30 Why not include Mississippi as state for Dems to target by 2032?
1:25:45 Causes for both alarm & optimism
1:29:00 Should MLB change the rule for intentional walks to make it two bases?
1:31:15 Some nicknames for the Trump/UAE corruption scandal
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Former White House Chief of Staff & Mayor of Chicago, Rahm Emanuel joins the Chuck ToddCast for a wide-ranging conversation on the forces shaping America’s political and economic future. He discusses why the 2028 election will be about what’s ahead—not what’s behind—and argues that understanding AI, energy, and the changing nature of work is now essential for anyone seeking leadership. Emanuel makes the case that education and vocational training remain the clearest pathway to the middle class, warns about declining reading proficiency, and examines what schools must do to prepare students for a rapidly evolving world. He also explores how both parties lost their way on education, why fundamentals matter, and what voters are really demanding from the system.
The discussion then turns sharply to politics, power, and the health of American institutions. Emanuel weighs in on Trump-era controversies, Congress’s weakened role, and concerns about election integrity and the post-election environment. He outlines how Democrats can rebuild a winning coalition by welcoming independents and former Republicans, focusing on economic fairness, and preparing for a potential 2026 wave election. The episode closes with a global lens—covering U.S.–Israel dynamics, political polarization, wealth inequality, and whether national service could help reunite a fractured country—framing a central question: if the midterms fail to reset the trajectory, what comes next for American democracy?
Get your wardrobe sorted and your gift list handled with Quince. Don't wait! Go to https://Quince.com/CHUCK for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too!
Protect your family with life insurance from Ethos. Get up to $3 million in coverage in as little as 10 minutes at https://ethos.com/chuck. Application times may vary. Rates may vary.
Thank you Wildgrain for sponsoring. Visit http://wildgrain.com/TODDCAST and use the code "TODDCAST" at checkout to receive $30 off your first box PLUS free Croissants for life!
Link in bio or go to https://getsoul.com & enter code TODDCAST for 30% off your first order.
Timeline:
(Timestamps may vary based on advertisements)
00:00 Rahm Emmanuel joins the Chuck ToddCast
01:30 What does the average week look like for Rahm Emmanuel?
02:30 Trying to get a good understanding of AI & energy distribution
03:30 Candidates better understand AI because it’s driving economy
04:00 2028 election will be about the future not the past
05:30 Education and vocational training are the ticket to middle class
07:00 Coding used to be the most sought after skill, now it’s irrelevant
08:00 How to prepare students for a rapidly changing world?
09:30 AI won’t eliminate vocational professionals
11:15 Students are at a 30 year low in reading proficiency
12:00 Education is a highly motivating issue for voters
12:30 Vouchers don’t help rural communities
13:30 GOP has abandoned public ed, Dems abandoned accountability
14:45 Governors used to compete to be the “education governor”
15:30 Lotteries became the popular way to fund public education
16:15 Mississippi found a successful education model & it was copied
18:45 If schools focus on the fundamentals, scores go up
20:15 Trump’s UAE corruption scandal the worst in history
21:45 Trump is supposed to work for the voters checkbook, not his own
22:30 Trump’s pardons are almost exclusively for white collar crime
24:15 Congress has completely abdicated their responsibility
25:45 Founders were very worried about a corrupt executive
27:15 Major international shakeups and DNI is at Georgia election office
28:45 There are certain features of elections Trump can’t screw with
30:30 Rahm is more worried about the post election environment
31:15 The institutions have failed, but the people will protect this country
32:00 Worried that Mike Johnson may screw with the seating of new congress
33:00 Mike Johnson doesn’t have Mike Pence’s courage
35:30 What issues should Democrats should prioritize to win elections
36:30 2026 will be a wave election, presents chance to win local/state races
38:00 Tax refunds won’t be the electoral boon Republicans think they will
38:45 There’s no upside to being a long-term planner in American politics
40:00 What states should Dems target outside the 7 battlegrounds?
40:45 Never Trump Republicans finding more affinity with Democratic party
41:45 Democrats need to welcome former Republicans & independents
43:00 Unaffiliated voters are where you get your electoral majority
44:30 Progressive vs. Moderate viability for Democrats
47:00 Democratic electorate is always looking for someone new
48:00 The future will be on the ballot in 2028
50:15 Biden promised to unite the country & only united his party. It’s why he failed
51:45 Mandatory national service could help reunite the country
55:00 Entire tax code is built around wealth preservation, not creating wealth
57:00 People are tired by the ultra rich playing by their own set of rules
58:00 WaPo is an institution, and Bezos is gutting it against public interest
1:00:30 How welcome will a Jewish candidate be in a Democratic primary?
1:02:00 Separating the Jewish people/religion from Bibi’s government
1:03:45 Bibi’s governance has made Israel more vulnerable and isolated
1:04:45 Did we export our politics to Israel or are we emulating them?
1:05:45 If Democrats fail to win the midterms… then what?
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of the Chuck ToddCast, Chuck digs into the stunning implosion of The Washington Post after Jeff Bezos ordered layoffs of nearly a third of its staff—breaking a decade-old promise to provide the paper with long-term financial runway. The conversation explores how Bezos treated the Post less like a civic institution and more like a trophy asset, useful for currying favor, protecting government contracts, and advancing Amazon and Blue Origin, but never truly prioritized for success. As newsroom cuts gut coverage across the board and the Post retreats from its role as D.C.’s essential local authority, the episode argues this isn’t just a media story—it’s a case study in billionaire power, tech hubris, and how America’s wealthiest figures play by a different set of rules, even as blue-collar and white-collar anger begin to converge.
Finally, Chuck previews the Super Bowl between the Seahawks & Patriots and answers listeners’ questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment.
Protect your family with life insurance from Ethos. Get up to $3 million in coverage in as little as 10 minutes at https://ethos.com/chuck. Application times may vary. Rates may vary.
Thank you Wildgrain for sponsoring. Visit http://wildgrain.com/TODDCAST and use the code "TODDCAST" at checkout to receive $30 off your first box PLUS free Croissants for life!
Link in bio or go to https://getsoul.com & enter code TODDCAST for 30% off your first order.
Timeline:
(Timestamps may vary based on advertisements)
00:00 Chuck Todd’s introduction
01:00 Washington Post lays off 1/3rd of its staff on orders from Bezos
02:45 Bezos told Woodward in 2013 he’d provide financial runway to the Post
03:30 Bezos just did the opposite of what he said he’d do
04:45 Matt Murray, editor of the post, isn’t in charge of business strategy
06:15 Cuts will affect all areas of the Post’s coverage
08:15 Structural issues at the Post have existed for years
09:30 The NYT diversified and it worked brilliantly
10:15 DC is an educated affluent market, comfortable paying for news
11:00 Bezos needed a leg up for Blue Origin in the space race
12:45 So why did 2013 Bezos buy the Post? Government contracts.
13:45 Amazon held almost an American Idol style bid process for HQ
14:30 Wish Amazon would have chosen St. Louis for HQ
17:45 Buying the Post was a way to curry favor for Amazon
18:30 Bezos saw the Post as a trophy that would help his other businesses
19:45 Trump cancelled a Bezos contract over unfavorable Post coverage
21:00 Bezos wasn’t interested in the success of the Post
23:15 Why not sell the Post? Trump would blame him for negative coverage
25:30 Whether the Post fails doesn’t matter to Bezos, his other businesses do
27:00 Bezos has only done one thing well: Building Amazon
28:00 High net worth doesn’t mean high IQ
30:00 WaPo was the regional and local authority in DC & is giving that up
32:00 Post wants to retreat and become just offer political coverage
33:15 Bezos is behaving like the metaphorical rich guy villain
34:15 Rich people play by their own rules and get away with everything
36:45 Blue collar anger is about to be coupled with white collar anger
37:30 The tech titans don’t know how to read the room
39:00 Biggest trade for Washington Wizards in years not covered by the Post
40:30 The Post won’t recover from this
46:45 Super Bowl preview
52:15 Ask Chuck
52:30 What incentives allow congress to just fall in line behind the president?
56:30 Why aren’t we seeing bigger protests in the streets?
57:45 Is the divide between MAGA & liberal America unbridgeable?
1:05:00 Could Trump legally get a third term via the line of succession?
1:10:00 How concerned should we be with the FBI raid at Fulton county election office?
1:13:00 Is it unusual for the out party to get a bill through congress?
1:17:00 If the Senate ends up split, how is majority control determined?
1:19:45 If Talarico wins his primary, could he catch fire all the way to the White House?
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Author and Washington Post contributor Danny Funt joins the Chuck ToddCast to discuss his new book “Everybody Loses”, and for a sobering, wide-ranging conversation about how the rapid legalization of sports betting quietly reshaped American sports—and not in the ways fans were promised. What began as a state-by-state experiment after a 2018 Supreme Court ruling has exploded into a highly profitable, lightly regulated industry where sportsbooks are household names, leagues are financial stakeholders, and media companies are financially dependent on gambling ads. Funt explains how gambling turbocharged media rights deals, hooked viewers more deeply into games, and became politically untouchable as companies like FanDuel and DraftKings poured money into lobbying to block even modest regulation.
The discussion digs into the darker consequences that followed: inadequate funding for gambling addiction support, normalization of conspiracy talk about “rigged” games, threats and violence directed at athletes, and growing concerns about corruption—especially in individual sports and lower-profile leagues. Funt draws chilling parallels between today’s sportsbook advertising blitz and the early days of Big Tobacco, explores why American regulators ignored European guardrails, and explains how mobile betting and prediction markets have made gambling more potent and pervasive than ever. The result, he argues, is a system designed for maximum profit with minimal friction—one that has fundamentally altered how sports are watched, covered, and policed.
Protect your family with life insurance from Ethos. Get up to $3 million in coverage in as little as 10 minutes at https://ethos.com/chuck. Application times may vary. Rates may vary.
Thank you Wildgrain for sponsoring. Visit http://wildgrain.com/TODDCAST and use the code "TODDCAST" at checkout to receive $30 off your first box PLUS free Croissants for life!
Link in bio or go to https://getsoul.com & enter code TODDCAST for 30% off your first order.
Timeline:
(Timestamps may vary based on advertisements)
00:00 Danny Funt joins the Chuck ToddCast
00:30 Rapid legalization of sports betting had unintended consequences
02:00 What made you want to cover the topic of sports betting?
02:30 Leagues took a hard pivot from anti to pro gambling
04:30 Major sportsbooks are household names, but very secretive
06:00 SCOTUS paved the way for state by state gambling with 2018 ruling
06:45 Courts provided gambling legislation due to inaction by congress
08:15 Gambling creating a massive increase in value for media rights
09:45 Adding gambling was a way to further hook viewers to sports
11:15 It’s hard to add new taxes, but vice taxes are able to pass
12:30 Legal betting is far more potent than betting through a bookie
14:00 Fanduel & Draftkings throwing money into politics to avoid regulation
15:30 Even modest regulation is rigorously opposed by gambling industry
17:00 Funding for support with gambling addiction is completely inadequate
18:15 Why wasn’t there a larger debate before rolling out mobile gambling?
19:00 Mobile gambling makes so much more money than physical books
20:15 Individual sports are more corruptible than team sports
21:00 Online betting is incredibly well geofenced
22:00 Putting “friction points” into the process helps with user safety
23:30 Gambling leads to rage & violent behavior & risks player safety
25:15 Gamblers have been arrested for threats to athletes over lost bets
26:00 Fans talking about games being “rigged” has been normalized
27:00 Individual players can collaborate on bets, trying to help friends
27:45 “Fixing” doesn’t necessarily mean “failing”
28:30 Prominent people in sports are alarmed & speaking out
29:30 Media won’t speak against it due to huge ad revenue from sportsbooks
32:00 NFL strongarmed reporters over concussions, gambling will be worse
35:30 Will we start regulating sports to make sure gambling is honest?
36:45 Referees in smaller, less visible conferences will be harder to police
37:15 Technology is being adopted to avoid corruptability of officials
38:45 Did writing this book change the way you watch sports?
40:30 Who controls Fanduel and Draftkings?
41:15 The leagues have equity stakes in the major sportsbooks
42:30 Major advertising similarities between tobacco and sportsbooks
43:30 What are the available gambling helpline resources/counseling like?
45:00 Stronger gambling culture in Europe, do they regulate it better?
46:00 American regulation completely ignored European precedent
47:00 Prediction markets are indistinguishable from betting markets
49:30 Legalization basically laid a trap for stupid people
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.